Devices, systems, and methods for advancing and positioning tethered capsule microendoscopes

A method for advancing a capsule endomicroscopy device through a luminal structure,

• the capsule endomicroscopy device comprising
• a tether having a proximal end and a distal end, the tether having a first diameter,
• an optical fiber disposed within the tether, the optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end,
• a tube enclosing at least a portion of the tether, the tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the tube having a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter,
• a housing coupled to the distal end of the tether and the distal end of the tube, and
• an optical element disposed within the housing and configured to direct light received from the optical fiber toward a periphery of the housing,
• the method comprising:
• subsequent to the housing entering the luminal structure, causing a first change in pressure within the tube thereby causing a rigidity of the tube to increase;
• pushing the housing through the luminal structure while the rigidity of the tube has increased to advance the housing through the luminal structure;
• and
• subsequent to pushing the housing, causing a second change in pressure within the tube thereby causing the rigidity of the tube to decrease.

A system for visualizing a luminal organ of a subject, the system comprising:

• a capsule endomicroscopy device comprising:
• a tether having a proximal end and a distal end, the tether having a first diameter;
• an optical fiber disposed within the tether, the optical fiber having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a tube enclosing at least a portion of the tether, the tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the tube having a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter;
• a housing coupled to the distal end of the tether and the distal end of the tube;
• and
• an optical element disposed within the housing and configured to direct light received from the optical fiber toward a periphery of the housing;
• an imaging device comprising:
• an image sensor;
• and
• a light source, wherein the optical fiber is optically coupled to the light source and the image sensor;
• and
• a pump in fluid communication with at least one lumen of the tube.